Former Dalkeith Woolies workers set for payout

FORMER Dalkeith Woolworths employees are set to receive a share of £67 million compensation.

Shopworkers’ union USDAW has won the settlement for more than 24,000 employees made redundant when Woolworths collapsed three years ago.

The iconic high street retailer went into administration in November 2008, and by early January 2009, all stores, offices and distribution centres were closed and nearly 30,000 people made redundant in the process.

The Dalkeith branch, a feature of the High Street for more than 30 years, closed at the end of December 2008 with the loss of 21 jobs.

USDAW made a claim on behalf of its members for a Protective Award after the administrators failed in their legal duty to consult with the union before making redundancies.